feed-in tariff

22 May 2018

Community Power State Scorecard Comparison — 2018 vs. 2017

by Marie Donahue | Date: 22 May 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Earlier this spring, ILSR released its 2018 Community Power State Scorecard, revealing the best and worst states for local clean energy across the country. Did many states improve on their 2017 score? In this new comparison of state rankings, we take a closer look at which states have taken the lead, which are improving, and which have a lot more to do when it comes to creating a policy landscape that enables distributed energy.… Read More

2 Mar 2018

The 2018 Community Power State Scorecard

by John Farrell | Date: 2 Mar 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Each year, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance provides a score for each state’s energy policies based on how they help or hinder local clean energy action. In 2018, 21 states had a failing grade, 17 were mediocre, 11 had a passing grade, and just 2 excelled at enabling residents to act individually and collectively to take charge of their energy future.… Read More

21 Oct 2015

Hawaii’s Net Metering Alternative Comes Up (Way) Short

by John Farrell | Date: 21 Oct 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Earlier this week, the Public Utilities Commission of Hawaii approved the proposal of the islands’ largest utility to end net metering for solar customers. It’s the culmination of a years-long battle and a proxy in the national fight between utilities and solar producing customers. It’s also the first big decision taking Hawaii away from the “energy … Read More

21 Jul 2015

Watch: Is Socialism What’s Stopping a Fair Value for Solar?

by John Farrell | Date: 21 Jul 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Complete nonsense. The most socialistic thing I’ve ever heard. That’s just two quotes from a value of solar conversation between ILSR’s John Farrell and Karl Rábago of the Pace Energy and Climate Center that took place online on July 8, 2015. More and more people are installing solar, significantly reducing their purchase of electricity from utility … Read More

8 May 2015

A Lesson in Solar from a Northern Neighbor

by John Farrell | Date: 8 May 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Based on population, Ontario would be the 5th largest state if it were part of the U.S., but its installed solar capacity, 1,500 MW would rank it 3rd. The province has also shut down all its coal-fired power plants. How does a northern province become a solar and climate leader, despite one of the poorest solar … Read More

24 Mar 2015

Rhode Island Standard Contracts Program Grows Distributed Generation

by John Farrell | Date: 24 Mar 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

This is an invited guest post from Virginia Rutter of Eutectics. By the end of 2019, Rhode Island has a goal to have 200 MW of distributed renewable energy generation in the state, most of it solar. The primary means by which Rhode Island means to meet this goal is through the use of standardized cost-based … Read More

2 Jul 2014

Celebrate Independence with 3 Steps Toward Energy Self-Reliance

by John Farrell | Date: 2 Jul 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Being from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, I’m often asked, “You want everyone off-grid and independent with their own solar array and a battery, right?” In a word, no. But our mission of economic and energy self-reliance has several similarities to the kind of (economic) independence being sought by England’s American colonists in the 1770s and celebrated … Read More

2 Jun 2014

Citizen Ownership Remains Foundation of German Renewable Energy Explosion

by John Farrell | Date: 2 Jun 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

I’ve been posting updates on local ownership of renewable energy in Germany since early 2011, and it’s abundantly clear that the Germans have yet to back down from their commitment to democratic, locally owned power. The following chart continues the series. For explanation, click the previous link, but know that traditional electric utilities are contained within … Read More

5 May 2014

A Little Tapped City Strategy for Boosting Local Renewable Energy

by John Farrell | Date: 5 May 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 1

Many cities served by private utilities think they have little capacity to encourage local renewable energy development. But a largely untapped tool – utility franchise contracts – may hold the key.… Read More